taft law school

After spending a good hour or more (and a full glass of Pinot Grigio) reading this entire thread (which I realize I just revived), I decided to actually take the time to register for an account on lawschooldiscussion JUST to reply to what seems like a largely derailed and hijacked thread about Taft (which LP continuously tried to bring back on point lol).

I wanted to say that the last couple of pages had phrases like "just a place to argue" etc.

As one of the few (only?) Taft alumni on this site, Legal Practitioner was almost completely UN-argumentative, though baited (trolled?) consistently. As someone considering an online JD (just to add some knowledge to my other, completely separate, profession, clinical psychology), LP, I wanted to let you know that you have displayed a consistently grounded, pertinent, even humble(?) (not sure what word I'm looking for) demeanor on these thirteen pages. You come off as as slightly older, mature, and to the point. When other users said you changed your story (which having read all 13 pages back to back, I can assure that you absolutely didn't, you provided additional details) you remained collected. As we say here in the south, your goat don't git easily.

I don't mean to say "Wow, your demeanor is so leveled that you sold me on Taft," however I do mean to say that Taft is what is, and it fits a certain bill. AND, I'm pleased to see an online presence that let's me know folks like you have found Taft quite able to fit your bill.

Not only was the information you presented (quantitative) in this thread useful for Taft-considerers, but the quality of your online presence is extremely noted and appreciated. For an attorney (and I know dozens) you don't seem to have a pathological (as a psych clinician, I use that term literally) need to argue, you aren't easily riled, and you are not overly wordy (opposite of this, my own post, and many of the other's on this thread).

Just wanted to say that on all 13 pages of this thread, you represented yourself and your alma mater well, and it helps folks like me who are closely judging Taft, with little more to go on than Orly. I hope you keep up a presence on lawschooldiscussion.

Just wanted to say that on all 13 pages of this thread, you represented yourself and your alma mater well, and it helps folks like me who are closely judging Taft, with little more to go on than Orly. I hope you keep up a presence on lawschooldiscussion.

R.

I will point this out for those reading the thread. There are various advantages to different "law school" solutions. The Taft "Distance Learning" solution is not a good one for the vast majority of people. Allow me to explain why-

If you choose to go the Taft route, then (IIRC), you have to pass the Baby Bar in California. That's your first possible point of failure. They don't break it down by school, but recent statistics show that Taft is in the category of schools that have an approximate 25% passage rate (first time), lower for repeaters. So, assuming you get past that (showing your aptitude), then you get to spend even more money to take the real California Bar. And if you do, then Taft has a terrible passage rate on the real Bar. (again, look this up- it's 20% or so). So you have a 25% chance of getting to take the Bar, and then a 20% chance of passing it. Those aren't good odds.

If you do overcome those odds, you will have graduated with a degree that doesn't mean a whole lot in the legal practice, and isn't very portable. Yes, you can practice in California, but you won't have any connections. And you will find it nearly impossible to practice anywhere else.

There may be particularly motivated people that can make Taft work to their advantage; but most of those people would be better off at a different school. The number of people that a) succeed at Taft, and b) can only do distance learning, and c) are able to successfully practice law after Taft are vanishingly small.

This isn't impossible. But if you want to actually practice law with your JD, there are almost always going to be better options.

I don't think that anyone here is arguing that correspondence/online legal education is always a bad idea, I think we are simply trying to point out that for the vast majority of students a non-ABA degree will present risks and limitations that are very difficult to overcome.

As long as the prospective is fully aware of the obstacles, then more power to them. But the key is to be open and realistic in your assessments, rather than seeing what you want to see.

Online legal education is not for everyone. I went to law school via online in my 40's while working full-time and obtained a foreign law degree and online LLM all in 45 months. It was right for me because I have a career and obligations and incurring 100k plus debt was not an option for me. I had no problems in my journey, I got to keep my six figure career and once I become a lawyer I won't have a problem transitioning over as a General Counsel if I decided to go that route. I never had my sites on working for anyone when I become a lawyer, so my route worked perfectly fine. I had no problems getting a bar ticket and will be taking the bar for the first time and once I pass I will have other jurisdictions available to me.

Yes, that is in my future plans as well is the QLTS. Also, the DC bar, however, there's been new rule modification to Rule 46. Also, DC is now a UBE state and I am taking the UBE and plan to transfer in DC through UBE transfer admissions.

Yes, that is in my future plans as well is the QLTS. Also, the DC bar, however, there's been new rule modification to Rule 46. Also, DC is now a UBE state and I am taking the UBE and plan to transfer in DC through UBE transfer admissions.

Once you have the equivalent of enough years English practice, you can also qualify for Ireland without an exam beased on reciprocity. Good ole Taft diploma has been good for admission in North America, Africa, Europe and the Carribbean though got turned down in Northern Ireland and a Pacific jurisdiction. Key to hopping out of the US is the English qualification.

When I started my journey, taking the California bar exam was my only option, however other opportunities came available during my journey and I was able to take the WA bar exam. One thing for sure the bar exam is doable, hopefully I pass the first time if not I will get it on the second attempt. The UBE is a game changer.